The impact of a day of global ceasefire and non-violence cannot be underestimated. Peace Day is an annual opportunity for NGOs to draw attention to their ongoing peacebuilding and life-saving activities within a global context.

The NGO Coalition brings together like-minded NGOs that wish to highlight the need for peace and what can be achieved with peace. This means that peace, humanitarian and development NGOs are adding their names to the NGO Coalition, showing their support for peace and for the Peace One Day campaign 'Who will you make peace with?'.

The NGO coalition is jointly led by Peace One Day and international NGO Interpeace.

“What I loved most of all about Jeremy’s idea of us supporting the 'NGO Coalition' was that we would not just be talking to NGOs that focus on peace but NGOs that need peace to do their own humanitarian, relief or development work.”

The NGO Coalition brings together organisations worldwide that are committed to marking Peace Day, 21 September through their work. Members of the coalition can reach out to each other and unite on a scale never seen before. Together we can decrease the level of violence, raise awareness of our activities and save lives around the world.

The NGO Coalition is consistently growing and there are now international and national NGOs signed up from every continent. Currently the NGO Coalition stands at over 1000 members from more than 150 countries.

Inspired by a 70% recorded reduction in violent incidents on Peace Day in Afghanistan (source: United Nations Department of Safety and Security), the NGO Coalition was launched in 2012. Founding members included Interpeace, BRAC UK, MAG (Mines Advisory Group), Mercy Corps, War Child, ACCORD and Viva Rio. Martin Bell, former BBC war correspondent and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and Emmanuel Jal, former child soldier and South Sudanese musician, spoke at the launch event in London.

Since then, millions of people have been active on Peace Day in every country of the world, and hundreds of organisations have carried out life-saving activities in areas of conflict. Below you can read more about the impact of our work in Afghanistan.